Hello everyone,

My name is Jackie Swisher and I chair the “Pledge Committee” for South County. It is that time of year that I again ask for your help by making a pledge or gift to support our office in the 78^th District.

We welcome “one-time” contributions or you may make a monthly pledge. Many of our members contribute $10 or $20 a month and make a payment at each general membership meeting.

All money raised is used to support our office – none of it is ever given to our members for “payment” for their services, mileage, or for other costs they might incur. We are a group of volunteers and everyone pays their own expenses. This is important so let me repeat it: None of your pledged money goes to our membership. All pledges and gifts go to support our office or to buy office supplies.

South County has continually maintained an office since the spring of 2004 – almost four years.

Some people question the need for a year-round office. I suppose that point of view would have validity if the office were not in use. However, the SCDC office is used extensively by our membership. The SCDC website is maintained from that office, two newsletters originate from that office, meetings are frequently held at the office, we are now doing some polling (phone banking) in an effort to update the MDP “Van” list (database of Democratic voters), it sometimes serves as sort of a constituency office channeling help to local citizens, it has been used for at least one press conference this year, most of the work of the Blue Tigers is done at the office including the new Blue Tiger’s web site, it has been used for social events, like "Stone Soup Night," it is used by our chair daily, it is a staging area for events, posters and signs are often created there, and many other uses. During election time, it becomes “election-central.” The office is often a very busy place.

Also, the office provides us with an important psychological edge. It gives Berrien County Democrats visibility – it shouts that we are Democrats and that we are here to stay. I think “being taken seriously” by our opponents is important.

You may make a gift or pledge by mail by sending your donation to South County Democratic Club, 501 North Red Bud Trail, Buchanan, MI 49107(make your check out to “South County Democratic Club”). If you have never been to our office, please consider making your gift or pledge in person and we will be glad to show you our new, beautiful facility. We are always glad to make new friends. Or, you can call us at (269) 695-7232 and we will send you a pledge form. State law requires that we must keep records of those who donate (name, address, phone, occupation).

Although financial contributions are important to politics, we respect those who are facing hard times. If you can't make a financial gift -- you are still welcome as a SCDC member. We have no membership dues -- we welcome everyone and pay our rent from the generosity of those who can give. We appreciate all gifts -- whether in time, talents or financial.

But if you are able, please make a contribution or pledge to maintain the SCDC office. We need your help.

Yours truly,

Jackie Swisher

P.S.: Speaking of office needs, SCDC needs a professional, stand-alone, office copy machine. I suppose the copier we need would best be described as a “desk copier,” as opposed to a large consul/cabinet copier (although, one of those wouldn’t be bad). We have printers for our computers that copy, but they are so slow that it makes it almost impossible to run copies of agendas and campaign material. If you happen to be a good Democrat who has a copier that you are not using, please consider making a donation for the Democratic cause in Berrien County.